Aug. 28, 2009
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. -- Rookie goalkeeper Bri Alvarado (Cincinnati, Ohio) posted her first career shutout as the Lady Monarchs (1-1) blanked the Colonials of George Washington University (1-1) tonight, 2-0 in a rain soaked home opener. Rookie Ashlee Coutu (Lebanon, Conn.) scored her first career goal and sophomore Jocelyn Weidner (Harrisburg, Pa.) also scored to lead ODU past GWU.
ODU pressured George Washington in the first half and broke through in the 20th minute of play. Freshman Kelly Evans (Ashburn, Va.) got loose in the right corner and sent a perfect cross into the box across the front of the goalmouth. Sophomore Victoria Johnson (Norfolk, Va.) got a hip on the ball to the knee of rookie Aubrie Ewell (Richmond, Va.), who managed to flick it toward Coutu for the header and the goal. Coutu's header in a crowd of defenders was the first goal of her young career coming off the first career assist for Ewell.
Alvarado kept GW off the board in the first half, making one save on two shots. The starting defensive unit of seniors Kirstin Walker and Brittney Kortz with sophomores Lisa Bernardini and Rachael Carroll stifled the offense early on.
At halftime, the rains came, stalling play for about 25 minutes. The lightning cleared and the teams returned to the field for a second half in a downpour. Both teams managed to continue great offensive play, taking 13 shots combined in the second half.
It was ODU, though, that would cash in, scoring in the 63rd minute. Johnson and Coutu were again a part of the scoring as Vic slipped a pass through the defense to Coutu, who immediately turned and found Weidner coming up through the midfield. With a soft touch, Coutu found Weidner in stride and she sent a low line drive that skipped past the keeper into the left corner of the goal.
The GW goalkeeper, Lindsey Rowe, saved five in the game while allowing the two goals on 14 shots. Alvarado saved a pair of shots in the game while earning her first career shutout and win for the Lady Monarchs.
Leading the way for the Colonials was midfielder Molly Bruh, taking a pair of shots including one on-net.
ODU was led by Johnson, with five shots including two on-goal and the two assists, and by Coutu, who scored the gamewinner and assisted on the second tally.
The Lady Monarchs return to action this Sunday as they host High Point University. The Panthers dropped to 0-3 tonight after a 3-0 setback to Loyola University (Md.).
GW 0-0=0ODU 1-1=2
19:35 ODU Coutu, Ashlee (1) from Johnson and Ewell62:25 ODU Weidner, Jocelyn (1) from Johnson and Coutu
Shots: GW (7), ODU (14)Corner kicks: GW (4), ODU (0)Saves: GW-Rowe (5); ODU-Alvarado (2)